Various stuff I feel like talking about.

I envision Oden to never quite be an all-star, but he should put up reliable numbers from the center position (and that's leaps and bounds more than what Pryz could give us). I see him being a 15 and 10 kind of guy, and those numbers are just fine. This team is winning despite the absence of any real center, and I see us being a fantastic team when Oden finally gets to play. I don't think he'll ever be great due to the knee surgery but he'll definitely help strengthen one of the team's biggest (if not THE biggest) weaknesses: rebounding.

That's my 2 cents; if he turns out to be a perennial all-star and is indeed the best young center since Shaq's debut, I'd be in heaven. But I don't quite see it happening. Though he will be a very important piece of what appears to be an eventual championship team. I still think we must address the PG spot in the offseason and pick up some more reliable veteran bench players, and some good rebounders off the bench. This year I see us as the 7th seed in the playoffs, losing a 6-game 1st round series to the Spurs, who go on to lose to Dallas in the Conference Finals.

Dependable but not quite a superstar

well you could say it's not looking good so far with the knees

We won't know until he steps out on the court, whether the surgery has done its job or not.

Some players have rebounded well from this surgery, others have not. I feel Oden may fall into the latter category, but only slightly. It may hinder him from being an all-star but still be able to contribute night in and night out, and remain a defensive threat as well as have some unstoppable inside moves. This'll be tough for opponents who have to play him straight up so that the outside shootiers won't be wide open to knock down an unimpeded 3. Even a 60% Oden will yield the best center production since Sabonis.

Thanks for the input, Carolina.

carolina79 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 28, 2006	Posted on: January 16, 2008 6:22 am Score: 92 Dependable but not quite a superstar well you could say it's not looking good so far with the knees. Hopefully he can remain healthy enough to give Portland a big man to contend out in the west. [ Reply to Comment ]
retrobills Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: May 5, 2007	Posted on: January 16, 2008 3:40 pm Score: 92 Dependable but not quite a superstar well you could say it's not looking good so far with the knees We won't know until he steps out on the court, whether the surgery has done its job or not. Some players have rebounded well from this surgery, others have not. I feel Oden may fall into the latter category, but only slightly. It may hinder him from being an all-star but still be able to contribute night in and night out, and remain a defensive threat as well as have some unstoppable inside moves. This'll be tough for opponents who have to play him straight up so that the outside shootiers won't be wide open to knock down an unimpeded 3. Even a 60% Oden will yield the best center production since Sabonis. Thanks for the input, Carolina. [ Reply to Comment ]
backinthis Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Jan 9, 2008	Posted on: January 27, 2008 7:16 am Score: 31 This comment has been removed. Dependable but not quite a superstar
retrobills Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: May 5, 2007	Posted on: January 28, 2008 6:50 am Score: 93 Dependable but not quite a superstar The team desperately needs rebounding. When Oden finally plays I see him fighting for the rebounding title year after year, and we will need every rebound he can grab. And if McRoberts were able to get some PT, I think he could also help us in that regard. [ Reply to Comment ]
Indydude99 Reputation: 83 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 9, 2007	Posted on: February 14, 2008 5:51 am Score: 76 Dependable but not quite a superstar lol@him being the 'missing link'..........you forgot to say pun either intended or not intended He looks 40 already so I reckon he only has 5 years left in him.......In Indiana we have joked that he started shaving at 2 [ Reply to Comment ]

retrobills

Dependable but not quite a superstar

Dependable but not quite a superstar

Dependable but not quite a superstar

Dependable but not quite a superstar

Dependable but not quite a superstar

Dependable but not quite a superstar